The challenge was to bring the two-dimensional world of the film into the real, three-dimensional lives of theme-park guests. To do that, Universal starts right at the front door. A façade added to the boxy, beige structure represents the house of Gru, the film's curmudgeonly lead character, and signals the entrance of the attraction. On the side of the building, 33 minions prep the building with paint, ladders and other construction equipment.

"It creates a really wonderful entry statement, and it's a really strategic part of the park," says Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative.

The beginning of the queue mixes Gru-esque elements — loudspeakers that look like bombs, a suit of armor with wilted flowers sprouting from its torso — with minion-recruitment posters that look straight out of the 1940s.

The first segment of the waiting area has video screens featuring a quiz about minions and a recap of what happened in the film, the story of three orphaned sisters who warm the heart of supervillain Gru, voiced by Steve Carell.

But knowledge of the movie isn't required to follow the action of Minion Mayhem.

"This particular story is made specifically for the attraction," Woodbury says.

Hints of Gru's domestic life appear from the outset. An intricate wallpaper design from the film is repeated in the queue and beyond — but it's not wallpaper at all. Universal painters used a giant stencil to paint the pattern. The technique is "to keep it fresh and looking great" as opposed to weather-sensitive wallpaper, says executive producer Mike West.

The second stage of the queue is a step into Gru's living room, which sports a 40-foot ceiling and furnishings that represent elements of the film.

"The look of the film is very vertical, so we wanted to copy that," West says.

Among the props are the SR-6 shrinking gun (used to shrink the moon in the film), a rhino-inspired easy chair, Grecian urns featuring minions in togas, a family portrait created especially for the Universal attraction, a painting of the head of the Bank of Evil ("Do Not Steal" warns its plaque), an extremely long and tall door with accompanying low opening for minions and a lion's head biting a dog that's biting a cat that's biting a mouse that's biting a piece of cheese.

Most of these images are high in the room, but farther down on the wall are youthful drawings of sisters Margo, Edith and Agnes.

"The girls added themselves to the family tree in crayon," says West, who wanted a look that was "recognizable but new."

An 80-inch screen shows minions in action and instructions on how to wear the 3-D glasses. That begins a long string of sight gags and comic dialogue. Writers from the film were used for the attraction as well.

Minion Mayhem uses actors who voiced the film, including Carell.

"Having him actually do the voice gives the opportunity for spontaneous dialogue. What you see in the picture may not be exactly what was scripted," Woodbury says. "Some of that has to do with him just doing what he does — being a great comedic actor."

Before guests board the ride, they enter Gru's lab, where they will be "minion-ized" and introduced to a fart gun. A subplot arises — it's the one-year anniversary of the girls' adoption — and a decision is made. The girls will take folks through minion training.

From there, minion trainees enter the main room, rows of benches that face a giant screen and seat four passengers. The setup is very much like the Jimmy Neutron attraction with a new coat of Gru on it.

Once the 3-D film starts, the ride includes a series of ups and downs, bumps and surprises. There are bunches of minions in action: on treadmills, dodging king-size fly swatters, forming impressive pyramids and vying for bananas.

The ride includes a little bit of motion alongside its motion simulation. It's not extreme, probably not even as jarring as its sister attraction, the Simpsons Ride. But there is the option of stationary seating for folks who fear queasiness.

The ride exits into a party atmosphere, where folks can dance with costumed-character minions to "Boogie Fever."

"It [the film] ends in a celebration, and we wanted to continue the spirit of that celebration in the post show," Woodbury says.

As the disco ball spins above, watch for one more bit of evidence for the creators' eye for detail: The reflections off the disco ball look like little minion eyes swirling into the gift shop.

Universal Orlando debuts it's Cinematic Spectacular lagoon show -- a new nightly presentation that combines a dazzling array of dancing fountains, fireworks and a powerful soundtrack with highlights from 100 years of Universal films.